Primary Navigation

Judge Carter Issues Lengthy Opinion Justifying Bail Grant

If you’re looking for some inspiring beach reading this weekend, look no further than this opinion in United States v. Paulino. On appeal by the government, S.D.N.Y. Judge Andrew Carter upheld the Magistrate’s decision to set bail in Mr. Paulino’s case. The government appealed to the Second Circuit, which remanded with instructions for Judge Carter to elaborate his rationale for granting bail. Today, he issued this memorandum opinion discussing the history of bail in American courts; the presumptions, burdens and standards of proof that apply to bail decisions; and how imposing conditions of release can mitigate the risk of flight and danger to the community.